New to STL - Hospital Affiliations
Hello -
I was wondering if there are any mommies that are familiar with the hospitals in the St. Louis/St. Charles area. We just bought a home in St. Peters, moved in May. I have a neighbor who delivered as well as works at St. Luke's. She highly recommends the hospital and I have found a lot of great things about St. Luke's online. I do not believe my doctor has an affiliation at this hospital.
I heard stay away from St. Joseph's online as well as by my neighbor. I know she also delivers at Barnes-Jewish as well. Or anywhere in the SSM (if that is correct) network of hospitals. I intend to talk to my doctor further in about 2 weeks when I go in for my 20 week appointment. I just wondered in the mean time if anyone had any significant experiences that made them prefer one hospital in the area over another.
It is very difficult to just pick a hospital when you haven't been around an area for long. In short, I am not looking for anything out of the ordinary for a birthing plan. I am 28, not high risk and everything is going perfectly. Being about 10-15 pounds overweight is my biggest health problem and that just came on by a sudden move and quick stress that comes with relocating, quitting your job and finding a new home in a matter of 30 days! The extent of my birthing plan is to ensure that only my husband is by my side during birth, I will most likely have an epidural and want to receive the important bonding time right after birth with my husband and new baby as a family. I will be breastfeeding assuming my body does not cause any trouble attempting to do so.
So if anyone could share their preferences and experiences it would make a first time mom that is new to the area much more comfortable in choosing where we bring our lil' one into the world. Oh, and some great bed side manner would be of much importance as that ranks very highly with me. I don't want to feel like another Pitocin induced labor and a dime a dozen in this experience.
Thank you!!
Tayler
Re: New to STL - Hospital Affiliations
Thank you for the information. I really appreciate the input, a lot. We intend on touring the hospitals but they become overwhelming if you don't exactly know where to start.
February 2014 Moms Siggy Challenge... Turkeys
Welcome to St. Louis Area! You will love doing the Zoo and Science center with your little one come summer time in the next few years. ITs all free.
As for hospitals you every correct about St. John's. Many people around here call it the baby factory, because the staff there act like machines. They want you in and out and are very impersonally. I heard Missouir Baptist Hospital is very nice and people are very sweet and really are considerate of your personal needs.
Also as extra bit of advise. Bring a box of chocolate or something that can be shared to give to the staff whereever you have your child. I did this with both my labors. It shows the nursing staff you appreciate them and you are also thinking about them as well. The benefit of this is typically your care nurses and aids treat you a little extra attention.
Welcome!
I have heard that St. Luke's is a really great place to deliver. Most everyone I know (including myself) has delivered at either MoBAP or Mercy (St. John's). Both places are considered 'baby factories' and in fact they are actually located across the highway from each other. I delivered at Mercy/St. Johns because they are a little bit more liberal (I was having a C-section). They also are the only hospital in the region with a Tier 3 NICU... I didn't expect to have anything crazy happen, but it was more of a "well, if something ever DID happen - I'd rather be right there!" thing. MoBAP is a very conservative place - they really really encourage breastfeedingd and supposedly have THE best lactation specialists on staff there to help with that. So, that would be beneficial if that's your plan too!
Good luck!!
#1 Born 6/14/13
#2 Due 11/1/16
TTC #1 since 08/2013
BFP#1: 1/6/2014 EDD: 9/17/2014 Natural MC: 1/17/2014 (5w3d)
BFP #2: 6/7/2014 EDD: 2/18/2015 Natural MC 6/19/2014 (5w)
BFP #3: 10/22/14 EDD: 7/1/2015
*Taking Progesterone supplements* Beta 1: 777, Beta 2: 2589 *GROW BABY!*